Joaquin Niemann used a hot start to fire a 7-under-par 64 and take the first-round lead at LIV Golf New York on Thursday in Bedminster, N.J.
The Chilean started on Trump National Golf Club’s usual first hole, birdied four of his first five holes and reached 5 under with a birdie at the par-5 eighth. He made just two more birdies the rest of the way while keeping a bogey-free card.
That was plenty for a two-shot lead over Ian Poulter of England and Lucas Herbert of Australia.
“(My putter) worked out pretty well today,” Niemann said afterward. “Yeah, feel good. Just keep doing my routine. I feel like every time I keep doing the same thing, just seeing my lines, sticking to my routine, and then see if it goes in. It went in today.”
Niemann, 27, is chasing his ninth LIV Golf individual title and his second of the year following a five-win season in 2025.
Niemann’s 64 also anchored the team he captains, Torque GC, which leads at 4 under par. They’re three in front of the all-Australian outfit Ripper GC and HyFlyers GC.
Herbert continues to enjoy a breakout season. He shot a 62 in the second round of the Open Championship last month, tying the low round in major championship history, and went on to tie for sixth, by far his best finish at a major. One week later, he earned a runaway win at LIV Golf UK.
The veteran Poulter would love nothing more than to earn his first win in five years with LIV.
He began the day on No. 10 and opened with two straight birdies, then knocked in additional birdies at Nos. 15, 17 and 2.
“I’m hitting good golf shots,” said Poulter, 50. “I feel like I’m rolling the ball really well. I made an up-and-down right here where we’re standing (for his interview), and you need to to shoot these scores on these type of golf courses. This is a long golf course for me.”
Brendan Steele and Thomas Pieters of Belgium are tied for fourth at 3-under 68. Bubba Watson, Harold Varner III, Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe and Lee Westwood of England are another shot back in a tie for sixth.
Spanish star Jon Rahm, who owns a massive lead in the individual standings, began his week with a 1-over 72.
Cameron Smith — the captain of Ripper and the individual winner the last time Bedminster hosted a LIV event in 2023 — struggled to a 4-over 75. Bryson DeChambeau opened with a double bogey and imploded for a 5-over 76.
–Field Level Media
